Gas block with an extended portion designed to act as a heat sink and provide structural support to the gas tube

ABSTRACT

An improved gas impingement system including an upper receiver incorporating a barrel. A gas block is secured to a forward location of the barrel and includes a rearward extending portion shrouding a forward portion of a gas tube connected to the gas block. The gas tube is in communication with a gas port defined in the gas block extending to an interior of the barrel. The gas tube extends rearwardly from the gas block and communicates at a rear end with a key of a bolt carrier positioned within a firing chamber of the upper receiver. Upon discharging a ballistic from a cartridge contained within the chamber, pressurized gas resulting from the discharge is diverted through the gas port, gas block, and gas tube to the key, causing the bolt carrier to move rearward, with the rearward extending portion of the gas block both structurally supporting the gas tube and externally sinking heat from the gas tube.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the priority of U.S. Ser. No. 63/251,128 filed Oct. 1, 2021.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a gas block component associated with a firearm. More specifically, the present invention teaches a gas block with an extended portion for shrouding the gas tube in order to both provide structural support and assist in dissipation of heat.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the Prior Art view of FIG. 1 , a cutaway is shown of a known AR direct gas impingement system and includes an upper receiver 1 incorporating a barrel 2. A gas block 3 is secured to a forward location of the barrel 2. such as with the assistance of mounting screws 4. A gas port 5 is formed in the gas block 3 in communication with the interior of the barrel 2, with a gas tube 6 connected to the gas block 3 in communication with the gas port 5 and extending rearward parallel to the barrel to a bolt carrier key (not shown) positioned in proximity to a firing chamber 7 of the upper receiver 1.

When the weapon is fired, gas travels down the barrel 2 behind the bullet (see at 8). As it passes the gas port 5, a portion of the gas is diverted into the gas block 3 (also termed as a front sight base or FSB), into the gas tube 6 and directed rearwardly to the bolt carrier key. Once the gas arrives at the key, it is dumped into the bolt carrier (see as separately represented in FIG. 2 ), causing the bolt carrier to move rearward.

With standard gas block designs, the gas tube is prone to overheating and failing in response to thermal stress, in particular during sustained firing conditions in which the firearm incorporates a short gas system (defined as having a gas port located close to the firing chamber).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention discloses an improved gas block design incorporated into a gas impingement system for use in an AR direct gas impingement system incorporating an extension portion for shrouding the forward connecting portion of the gas tube in order to both provide structural support and assist in heat sinking (drawing out heat) from the gas tube.

The improved design includes an upper receiver incorporating a barrel. A gas block is secured to a forward location of the barrel and includes a rearward extending portion shrouding a forward portion of a gas tube connected to the gas block. The gas tube is in communication with a gas port defined in the gas block extending to an interior of the barrel, with the gas tube extending rearwardly from the gas block and communicating at a rear end with a key of a bolt carrier positioned within a firing chamber of the upper receiver.

In this fashion, and upon discharging a ballistic from a cartridge contained within the chamber, pressurized gas resulting from the discharge is diverted through the gas port, gas block, and gas tube to the key, causing the bolt carrier to move rearwardly. In this environment, the rearward extending portion of the gas block both structurally supports and provides sinking of heat generated in the gas tube.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made to the attached drawings, when read in combination with the following detailed description, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, and in which:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a direct impingement gas system as generally known according to the Prior Art;

FIG. 2 is a plan view illustration of a modified gas block with extended portion according to one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is front view of the gas block of FIG. 2 ; and

FIG. 4 is a side plan view of the gas block of FIG. 2 illustrating the extending portion for shrouding the forward connecting portion of the gas tube in order to both provide structural support and assist in heat sinking (drawing out heat) from the gas tube.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the attached illustrations, the present invention discloses a gas block design for incorporating into an impingement gas system of an AR type firearm and in which an extended portion of the gas block shrouds the forward connecting portion of the gas tube in order to both provide structural support and assist in heat sinking (drawing out heat) from the gas tube.

With reference to FIG. 2 , a plan view illustration of a modified gas block with extended portion, generally at 10, is shown according to one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. Similar to the Prior Art description of FIG. 1 , the AR direct gas impingement system includes an upper receiver 12 incorporating a barrel 14. A gas block has a main body 16 secured to a forward location of the barrel 14, such as through any staking or riveting operation, as well as alternatively with the assistance of mounting screws or the like, As further shown, the gas block main body 16 includes a rearward extending portion 18,

A gas port (not shown) is formed in the gas block 16 and is in communication with the interior of the barrel 14. A gas tube 20 is connected or secured to the extended portion 18 of the gas block 16 in communication with the gas port and extends in a rearward direction parallel to the barrel 14 to a bolt carrier key (not shown) forming a portion of a bolt carrier 22 positioned proximity to a firing chamber 24 of the upper receiver 12.

As with the prior art description of FIG. 1 , and upon the weapon being fired, pressurized gas resulting from discharge of the ballistic travels forwardly down the barrel 14 behind the bullet and, as it passes the gas port, is diverted into the gas block 16 into the gas tube 20 which carries it into the key (hidden from view) of the bolt carrier 22. Once the gas arrives at the key, it dumps the gas into the bolt carrier 22, causing the bolt carrier to move rearward to initiate a cycling of the bolt carrier group associated with a firing sequence.

FIGS. 3-4 provide each of front and side plan views of the gas block 16 of FIG. 2 and again better illustrating the extending portion 18 for shrouding the forward connecting portion of the gas tube (see again at 20 in FIG. 2 ) in order to both provide structural support and to assist in heat sinking (drawing out heat) from the gas tube. The gas block is constructed of any suitable heat dissipating material such as a various grade steel and, as shown in FIG. 3 , includes a first interior aperture (see closed annular perimeter defining surface 26) is linearly or axially formed through the upper located extending portion 18 and adjoining main body (again at 16) of the gas block.

A further main linear aperture (see closed annular perimeter defining surface 28) is defined through the main body 16 of the gas block and is mounted over the exterior of the barrel 14 as shown in FIG. 2 , with the interior configured gas port extending from an interior location of the first aperture 26 forward of or below the inserting end of the gas tube 20 and communicating with an interior of the barrel 14. The gas block 16 can be secured to the barrel 14 via any of screws, other fasteners, heat staking or the like. As further previously disclosed, the gas block can incorporate any of a front sight base or FSB, also termed a forward iron sight component.

In this manner, the gas block design of the present invention provides each of enhanced structural support and heat sinking characteristics for drawing out heat from the gas tube (and by extension conducting heat away from the bolt carrier key and firing chamber). In this manner, the design of the present invention seeks to prevent gas tube failure resulting from overheating.

Having described my invention, other and additional preferred embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains, and without deviating from the scope of the appended claims. The detailed description and drawings are further understood to be supportive of the disclosure, the scope of which being defined by the claims. While some of the best modes and other embodiments for carrying out the claimed teachings have been described in detail, various alternative designs and embodiments exist for practicing the disclosure defined in the appended claims.

The foregoing disclosure is further understood as not intended to limit the present disclosure to the precise forms or particular fields of use disclosed. As such, it is contemplated that various alternate embodiments and/or modifications to the present disclosure, whether explicitly described or implied herein, are possible in light of the disclosure. Having thus described embodiments of the present disclosure, a person of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is limited only by the claims.

In the foregoing specification, the disclosure has been described with reference to specific embodiments. However, as one skilled in the art will appreciate, various embodiments disclosed herein can be modified or otherwise implemented in various other ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, this description is to be considered as illustrative and is for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the manner of making and using various embodiments of the disclosure. It is to be understood that the forms of disclosure herein shown and described are to be taken as representative embodiments. Equivalent elements, materials, processes or steps may be substituted for those representatively illustrated and described herein. Moreover, certain features of the disclosure may be utilized independently of the use of other features, all as would be apparent to one skilled in the art after having the benefit of this description of the disclosure. Expressions such as |including|, |comprising|, |incorporating|, |consisting of|, |have|, |is| used to describe and claim the present disclosure are intended to be construed in a non-exclusive manner, namely allowing for items, components or elements not explicitly described also to be present. Reference to the singular is also to be construed to relate to the plural.

Further, various embodiments disclosed herein are to be taken in the illustrative and explanatory sense, and should in no way be construed as limiting of the present disclosure. All joinder references (e.g., attached, affixed, coupled, connected, and the like) are only used to aid the reader's understanding of the present disclosure, and may not create limitations, particularly as to the position, orientation, or use of the systems and/or methods disclosed herein. Therefore, joinder references, if any, are to be construed broadly. Moreover, such joinder references do not necessarily infer that two elements are directly connected to each other.

Additionally, all numerical terms, such as, but not limited to, |first|, |second|, |third|, |primary|, |secondary|, |main| or any other ordinary and/or numerical terms, should also be taken only as identifiers, to assist the reader's understanding of the various elements, embodiments, variations and/or modifications of the present disclosure, and may not create any limitations, particularly as to the order, or preference, of any element, embodiment, variation and/or modification relative to, or over, another element, embodiment, variation and/or modification.

It will also be appreciated that one or more of the elements depicted in the drawings/figures can also be implemented in a more separated or integrated manner, or even removed or rendered as inoperable in certain cases, as is useful in accordance with a particular application. Additionally, any signal hatches in the drawings/figures should be considered only as exemplary, and not limiting, unless otherwise specifically specified. 

1. An improved gas impingement system, comprising: an upper receiver incorporating a barrel; a gas block secured to a forward location of the barrel and including a rearward extending portion shrouding a forward portion of a gas tube connected to said gas block, said gas tube being in communication with a gas port defined in said gas block extending to an interior of said barrel, said gas tube extending rearwardly from said gas block and communicating at a rear end with a key of a bolt carrier positioned within a firing chamber of said upper receiver; and upon discharging a ballistic from a cartridge contained within said chamber, pressurized gas resulting from the discharge being diverted through said gas port, gas block, and gas tube to said key, causing said bolt carrier to move rearward, said rearward extending portion of said gas block both structurally supporting said gas tube and externally sinking heat from said gas tube.
 2. The system as described in claim 1, further comprising a first interior aperture axially formed through said rearward extending portion of said gas block for mounting said rearwardly extending gas tube.
 3. The system as described in claim 2, further comprising a main axial aperture defined through a main body of said gas block for mounting over an exterior of said barrel.
 4. The system as described in claim 1, further comprising said gas block being constructed of a heat dissipating steel. 